Pilferer-cops thrash lineman

LAHORE Defying the strict directions issued by the Punjab Chief Minister with regard to bring a change in 'thana culture, it seems that the Shahdara Town police have stepped backwards as they on Sunday allegedly thrashed an employee of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) when he dared disconnect direct electricity supply of the police station. Reportedly, Lineman Naveed disconnected the supply when he came to know that Shahdara Town Police Station had been pilfering electricity from an electricity pole erected at the back of the police station since last many years. How dare you disconnect the direct supply, the team of 12 policemen, who allegedly tortured Naveed, asked him. They locked me up at the police station and subjected to severe torture, the lineman added. The LESCO team, which I phoned for help, also reached the spot, but the police team led by ASI Rana Muslim also threatened them of dire consequences, he further said. An eyewitness, schoolteacher Kaneez Fatima, resident of the same locality, said that the LESCO official was disconnecting the supply when some policemen appeared from the police station and pulled him down from the pole. This police station never applied for a personal electricity connection from the Division of Lahore, said Rachna Town Sub Divisional Officer Zaka Ullah. He confirmed that the PS Shahdara Town was stealing electricity since last couple of years. When connected, LESCO Media Advisor Javed said that strict action would be initiated against those (cops) responsible. We have moved a formal application against 12 police officers in the same police station. Clauses of electricity theft and severe torture will be included in the FIR registered against the police station, he added. However, it could not be found out whether the FIR would be registered on the directions of LESCO Headquarters or on the personal complaint of the victim employee, Naveed. In the mean time, DSP Riaz Shah said, a formal inquiry will be held against the responsible persons and strict disciplinary action will be taken against them. The Shahdara Town police, however, maintained that someone spotted a 'suspect on the electricity pole and later the victim was 'treated in formal behaviour. PS Shahdara Town SHO switched off his mobilephone when this scribe contacted him for his version. Meanwhile, Acting CCPO and SSP (Operations) Ch Shafiq Ahmad has suspended five police officers including ASI Rana Muslim on the charges of misuse of powers and for thrashing the LESCO employee. He has also ordered for a formal departmental inquiry against them.